With 150 events over five days involving 100 authors, 25 of which are international writers at several venues throughout Cape Town’s fringe district, the Open Book Festival opens the literary world to all South Africans. It achieves this by ensuring there is something for everyone between 21 and 25 September.
The Open Book Festival is designed around three main elements. First, to position South Africa as a world class literary destination by bringing out international authors. Second, to promote he best of South African writing to both a local and international audience. Third and perhaps most importantly, to make a significant and sustainable impact by instilling a love of literature, reading and books in Cape Town’s children.
“The Open Book Festival is committed to encouraging a love of books and reading to young and old, but especially the young. The Festival has several initiatives underway that run beyond the five days that are designed to have a significant and sustainable impact to local society,” he says.
The initiatives include the likes of a mentoring project that sees 10 students receiving mentorship for the greater part of a year by suitable mentors. The results of the project will be printed in book form in time to be launched at Open Book 2012. Open Book, together with Equal Education, will be handing over a fully stocked and functioning library to Matthew Goniwe Memorial High School in Khayelitsha.
“….. it’s going to be a boekjol of epic proportions,” says founder and organiser Mervyn Sloman. “We have tried to be creative with the programme doing our utmost to ensure as broad an appeal as possible.”
A Foretaste of the many book launches taking place later this month:
- Denis Hirson launch: Denis Hirson, author of The Dancing and the Death on Lemon Street, talks to Zubeida Jaffer. In association with Jacana Media – Fugard Studio – 21 September 2011 at 10:00
- Madeline Miller launch: Madeline Miller, author of Song of Achilles, talks to Professor Clive Chandler about her reworking of the myth of Achilles. In association with Jonathan Ball – Fugard Studio – 21 September 2011 at 14:00
- H J Golakai launch: H J Golakai, author of The Lazarus Effect, talks to Andrew Brown about her debut novel. In association with NB Publishers – Slave Lodge – 21 September 2011 at 14:00
- Tracey Farren launch: Tracey Farren, author of Snake, talks to Feryal Ali Gauhar. – Townhouse Imbizo – 21 September 2011 at 18:00
- Wysheid met Grysheid: Hennie Aucamp, Peter Snyders en MM Walters. Digters van oud vertel ‘n staaltjie uit die verlede en lees hul werk voor. – District 6 Museum – 21 September 2011 at 18:00
- Max du Preez launch: Launch of Opinion Pieces by South African Thought Leaders. Editor Max du Preez talks to some of the contributors. In association with Penguin and Gipca – City Hall – 21 September 2011 at 19:00
- Living in the Endless City launch: Ricky Burdett, director of LSE Cities and co-editor of Living in the Endless City, speaks and presents images at the launch of this sumptuous book. An exciting announcement will end off the launch featuring the words “Design Competition”, “Cape Town” and “a huge cash award”. In association with ACC, Book Promotions and Design Indaba. – Fugard Theatre – 21 September 2011 at 20:00
- Daniel Silke launch: Daniel Silke, author of Tracking the Future, talks to Dr Terence McNamee. In association with NB Publishers – Townhouse Imbizo – 21 September 2011 at 20:00
- Bambi Kellermann launch: Bambi Kellermann (sister and worst nightmare of Evita Bezuidenhout) reveals all to Marianne Thamm at the launch of Never Too Naked, her gloves-off, bra-down memoir, written with the assistance of Pieter-Dirk Uys. In association with Random House Struik – Fugard Theatre – 22 September 2011 at 12:00
- Cover to Cover Launch: Launch of two new titles in this series aimed at teenagers with Palesa Morudu, Ros Haden and Dorothy Dyer. – Central Library – 22 September 2011 at 14:00
- Sandra Charles launch: Sandra Charles, author of Eve, talks to Chris van Wyk. In association with NB Publishers – Fugard Studio – 23 September 2011 at 14:00
- McIntosh Polela launch: Hawks’ spokesperson, McIntosh Polela launches his memoir, My Father My Monster, in the company of Judge Dennis Davis. In association with Jacana Media – Townhouse Imbizo – 23 September 2011 at 16:00
- Alex Perry launch: Alex Perry, author of Lifeblood: How to Change the World One Dead Mosquito at a Time talks to Francis Wilson. In association with Pan Macmillan – Whale Well – 23 September 2011 at 17:30
- Isobel Dixon launch: Isobel Dixon launches her new poetry collection, The Tempest Prognosticator, in the company of Gus Ferguson. In association with Random House Struik – Fugard Studio – 23 September 2011 at 18:00
- Julie Myerson launch: Julie Myerson, author of Then, talks to Jacqui L’Ange. In association with Random House Struik. – Lobby Books – 23 September 2011 at 18:00
- Leon de Kock launch: Leon de Kock, author of Bad Sex, talks to Ashraf Jamal. In association with Random House Struik – Townhouse Imbizo – 23 September 2011 at 20:00
- Piet Byleveld launch: Piet Byleveld discusses his memoir, Dossier of a Serial Sleuth, with Hanlie Retief. In association with Random House Struik – Townhouse Mostert – 24 September 2011 at 10:00
- Tim Noakes launch: Tim Noakes, author of Challenging Beliefs, talks to Bruce Fordyce. In association with Random House Struik – Fugard Theatre – 24 September 2011 at 12:00
- Xolela Mangcu launch: Xolela Mangcu, editor of Becoming Worthy Ancestors: Archive, Public Deliberation and Identity in South Africa, talks to Carolyn Hamilton. In association with Wits University Press – Townhouse Imbizo – 24 September 2011 at 12:00
- Dawn Promislow launch: Dawn Promislow, author of Jewels and Other Stories, talks to Harry Garuba. – Lobby Books – 24 September 2011 at 14:00
- Play Rugby launch with Bokkie: Bring your kids to the launch of the first ever official guide to South African rugby written for children. Join us for a fun morning with Bokkie, the Springbok mascot, and a surprise appearance by one of the injured Boks. In association with Pearson Education. – Fugard Theatre – 25 September 2011 at 10:00
- Wame Molefhe launch: Wame Molefhe, author of Go Tell the Sun, talks to Rustum Kozain. – Fugard Studio – 25 September 2011 at 10:00
- Tuelo Gabonewe launch: Tuelo Gabonewe, author of Planet Savage, talks to Siphiwo Mahala. In association with Jacana Media. – Townhouse Imbizo – 25 September 2011 at 10:00
- Mike Nicol launch: Mike Nicol, author of Monkey Business, talks to Peter Harris about the Dewani murder case. In association with Random House Struik – Lobby Books – 25 September 2011 at 10:00
- Thando Mgqolozana launch: Thando Mgqolozana, author of Hear Me Alone, talks to Helen Moffett. In association with Jacana Media. – Townhouse Imbizo – 25 September 2011 at 12:00
- Jacana Foundation Launch: Join Jacana media, who publish what they like, as they celebrate the launch of the exciting Jacana Literary Foundation. Meet authors Peter Merrington (Zombie and the Moon), Tuelo Gabonewe (Planet Savage), Thando
- Mgqolozana (Hear me Alone), Siphiwo Mahala (African Delights), Mark Thornton (Kid Moses) and Zinaid Meeran (Saracen at the Gates). – Lobby Books – 25 September 2011 at 13:15
- Rolf Solberg launch: Rolf Solberg, author of Bra Gib, talks to Neo Muyanga about the life of Gibson Kente. – Fugard Studio – 25 September 2011 at 16:00
- Yewande Omotoso launch: Yewande Omotoso, author of Bom Boy, talks to Jane Bussmann. – Lobby Books – 25 September 2011 at 16:00
